India is really into its cricket stars, and that obsession often gets blamed for the lack of big wins. There’s been a lot of talk about veteran players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli still being in the squad even when their performances have dropped off lately. Moeen Ali, an all-rounder for Kolkata Knight Riders, believes players shouldn’t just keep their spots because they’re popular.
In a chat with the Indian Express, Moeen mentioned that players can stick around in the IPL even if they’re not at their best, but it’s different when it comes to international play. He said, “Franchise cricket is like running a business. If the franchise is okay with it, you can keep playing. But for your country, whether in Tests or ODIs, you need to reflect harder. If England was a franchise team, I’d keep playing because I know I can do it. But since it’s international cricket, I retired to make room for others.”
When the conversation shifted to how tough it is for top Indian players with huge fan followings to step aside, Moeen stressed that these choices should come from the players themselves. Rohit has been going through a rough patch, and his IPL stats show a serious decline.
Moeen added, “You shouldn’t hold on just because of your name or following. It shouldn’t be about personal goals.” He even called it ‘selfish’ to cling on for the wrong reasons. “Think realistically: Is it worth it for me to stay? Am I still helping the team? If younger players are outperforming you, it’s time to be honest and consider stepping aside, he said.
